Congress endorses Kerala High Court ruling on Maoist

Kochi: In a remark that may kick up a debate in the country, the Congress on Saturday agreed with the Kerala High Court ruling that being a Maoist is not a crime. The Congress, however, defended the party-ruled Kerala government's recent actions against the Left-wing extremists, saying they were arrested as they had been indulging in "criminal offences".

"The court has said that being a Maoist is of no crime. Same is our opinion (about Maoists)... But some people claiming allegiance to Maoism...whether right or wrong I don't know...they are indulging in criminal activities," Congress spokesman PC Chacko said here when asked about the party's view on the High Court ruling on Maoists.

"Police in Kerala have arrested only the people who are involved in criminal activities...They were not arrested on the basis of believing in an ideology. They were arrested for involvement in criminal offence," he added.

Noting that "Maoism breeds in poverty", Chacko said pushing development in vulnerable areas is the only way to fight the menace. He cited Congress and its government have been fighting Maoism both ideologically and pushing development in affected areas in the country.